Are there legal online poker sites?

With the ability to play almost anywhere on a computer or mobile device, online poker has given millions of people the chance to play, have fun and even win some money. That has driven a poker boom, with both live and online poker more popular now than ever. But when it comes to online poker, there are some things to think about if you want to give the game a try, and one of the most important is whether it is legal to play online poker where you are.

Where Is Online Poker Legal in the US and around the world?

The good news is that online poker is legal in many countries, including some US States. So you can play poker in the US legally, it does depend on the legal status on the state where you live though. However, the most important thing to learn about online poker legality is that there are very few places in the world where it is illegal to play online poker. That means as a player, you will rarely have difficulty in finding a poker site to join.

Rather, the legal side of things impact providers more than they do players. For instance, someone living in Texas will find there is no legislation regarding online poker at all. However, if they play online poker at a site based in Nevada, which has legalized online poker, are they breaking the law? No, in fact that is why so many US players use offshore poker sites that are located in countries where online poker is fully legalized and overseen by government licensing. This keeps legal access and provides players with the trust they want. Online gambling laws are complex, often by design, and while it should be cleaer for everyone, online poker in the US is defeinitely transforing. There are more online operators than ever, and after Nevada became the first state to legalize online poker, others have followed. This has followed a trend with online sports betting, where legislators recognize the opportunities for an in-demand service.

In general, the biggest issue regarding access to online poker is the financial side. While the casino or poker site may be operating completely legally in their jurisdiction, players in countries where online poker is illegal will likely have rules in place for financial transactions, making it almost impossible for them to deposit funds using regular banking systems.

This is why many casinos and poker sites have adopted wallet payment platforms and cryptocurrencies as ways to deposit and withdraw your poker funds. It’s not, as some say, to enable scams, it is simply to avoid the hurdles that governments put in place to stop you from using these sites for legal online poker play.

Factors influencing legality when you play online poker

There are a number of factors that affect whether a jurisdiction allows legal poker play, including attitude to gambling, the ability to properly regulate legal gambling, and the public’s demand for access to legal online poker and so on.

There are advantages for jurisdictions that legalize gambling, not least the tax revenue from businesses operating there. The challenge facing legislators is balancing those benefits with the level of opposition locally.

Are there legal online poker sites I can play poker at?

Poker is inextricably linked to gambling, and there is no question that gambling itself has become something viewed in a negative light in many communities. This is because gambling, especially illegal gambling, has caused social issues in the past. With that, and the idea of online gambling often seen as a way to get easier access to gambling and the problems it brings, there has been resistance to the idea of poker games for many years.

This is, of course, unfair, as poker is a different type of experience than the kind of gambling they see as bad. A game of skill and strategy rather than chance, however as long as regulators continue to view all types of betting the same way, then these reasons will be continually used to justify making online poker illegal.

But in many cases, there are completely legal ways to play poker in the state you live, including poker sites and app-based poker rooms. You just have to be careful as to which state you are governed by.

Will it be legal to be an online poker player in US States soon?

For many people it already is! However, if you live in a state or region where online poker remains illegal, or there has been no decision either way, then it depends on whether there is pressure on your legislators to make a decision.

In general, politicians only act on things like this when public pressure makes them. Writing letters and promoting organized campaigns can speed things up, but you are mostly at the mercy of the people who make the laws.

In Which Countries Is It Legal To Play Online Poker?

 The good news is that there are many countries where it is legal to play and operate online poker.

This includes:

• Andorra
• Argentina
• Armenia
• Aruba
• Austria
• Azerbaijan
• Bahamas
• Bahrain
• Bangladesh
• Barbados
• Belarus
• Belgium
• Belize
• Bermuda
• Bolivia
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Botswana
• Brazil
• Bulgaria
• Cambodia
• Canada
• Chile
• Costa Rica
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• Egypt
• El Salvador
• Estonia
• Faroe Islands
• Finland
• France
• French Polynesia
• Germany
• Ghana
• Greece
• Greenland
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Hungary
• Iceland
• India
• Indonesia
• Ireland
• Italy
• Jamaica
• Japan
• Kazakhstan
• Kenya
• Kuwait
• Kyrgyzstan
• Latvia
• Lebanon
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Madagascar
• Malaysia
• Malta
• Mauritius
• Mexico
• Moldova
• Monaco
• Mongolia
• Montenegro
• Morocco
• Namibia
• Nepal
• New Caledonia
• New Zealand
• Nicaragua
• Nigeria
• North Macedonia
• Norway
• Oman
• Panama
• Papua New Guinea
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Philippines
• Poland
• Portugal
• Puerto Rico
• Qatar
• Romania
• Rwanda
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• San Marino
• Senegal
• Serbia
• Seychelles
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Spain
• Sri Lanka
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Tanzania
• Thailand
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Tunisia
• Turkey
• Uganda
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• Uruguay
• Uzbekistan
• Vatican City
• Venezuela
• Vietnam
• Zambia

In addition, 6 US states have also made online poker legal, these are:

• Delaware
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Michigan
• West Virginia

The precise laws for each country vary, some allow online poker, but not with real money. Always check your local laws before joining a poker room to make sure you know exactly where you stand.

Where Is Online Poker Legal In The US?

There are only a few states where it is legal to operate online poker rooms. However, for players, in most states it is not illegal to play online poker games, it is illegal to operate poker rooms in those jurisdictions.

There are some states that have made it illegal to participate in online poker though:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Nebraska
• South Carolina

 Which States have online Poker laws that make it legal to play poker online in the US? 

Online poker is in a state of flux in the US, with some states declaring it to be illegal, while others are passing laws to make it legal to play.

Online poker is legal in these six states:

• Delaware
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Michigan
• West Virginia

In addition, discussions about legality are ongoing in a number of other states, where it is likely that online poker will be licensed and regulated as a legal activity sometime in the future. This includes:

• California
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Vermont
• North Dakota              
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Ohio

How to Stay Informed and Compliant when you enjoy live poker?

No matter how complex it can seem, it is your responsibility to make sure that what you are doing stays on the right side of the law. As discussed, it is rarely a criminal offence to play online poker, but if you do live in an area where it has been declared illegal, it can cause problems in paying into your account or withdrawing your winnings.

With that in mind, following your legislation for online poker is sensible. Check with your local government regularly to understand the legal situation for your specific location.

FAQ

Is Online Poker and Gambling Safe?

As with any online activity that involves money, there are scams to watch out for. However, by choosing well-known providers who are licensed and regulated by their local government, and who have good reviews from real users, then playing poker online is entirely safe.

Do Online Poker Sites Cheat?

Sites that operate under licenses and gambling authority regulation are frequently checked for fairness in their games. Breaches here can lead to fines and even imprisonment for the operator, so choose the right, licensed provider and you can be confident the games are fair.

What Is The Best Poker Room Site For Online Gambling?

This depends on where you are and the sites you have access to. However, sites like Bwin, GGPoker and 888Poker have been around for decades and have excellent reputations for good gaming and fast payouts.

Is online poker legal in the United States?

It is, but currently only in 6 states. These are: •    Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan and West Virginia.

Which European countries have legalized online poker?

Online poker is legal across most of Europe. The exceptions that have made it illegal to play poker online are:

• Cyprus
• Luxembourg
• Slovenia

How can I find out if online poker is legal in my country?

Head to your government website and check the current legislation.